Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Matt Weinstock

Posted on July 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 11, 1957 There was a traffic tie-up at the Harbor turnoff the other day as Inspectors Ed Walker and Bob Houghton were traveling inbound on the Hollywood Freeway. They threaded their way through it and came upon a woman … Continue reading →

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Another plan for the Ambassador

Posted on July 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 11, 1957Los Angeles Yes, it’s another architectural plan, this one for the site of the Ambassador Hotel. And no, it never got built, either. Somewhere in Los Angeles, there’s a small library of designs that were shelved over the … Continue reading →

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We get queries

Posted on July 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

Someone keeps landing on the blog because they’re trying to find out when the palm trees were planted on Sherman Way. Luckily, I have Proquest at hand, so let’s see. Hm. Someone apparently didn’t like the palms because they were … Continue reading →

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Paul Weeks, in memoriam

Posted on July 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

I am informed that Paul Weeks, whose stories appear on the Daily Mirror blog, notably his profile of Police Chief William H. Parker, has passed away at the age of 86 due to liver cancer. Services are pending. He leaves … Continue reading →

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Bar brawl

Posted on July 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 10-11, 1957Los Angeles There isn’t much in doubt about what happened that night in NorthHollywood; the only mystery comes much later. That night, Frank “Puggy”Sica, 40, and Salvatore Di Giovanni, 39, were having a few drinks withRonnie Kopp … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on July 10, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 10, 1957 Since my boyhood days in the wheat fields of Manhattan I have steadfastly held Hollywood in veneration. I feigned interest in Lou Gehrig and Carl Hubbell and Hank Greenberg and the rest of their sweaty ilk to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A few golden hours

Posted on July 10, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 10, 1957 Los Angeles Let’s suppose you are a famous comedian with a hit TV show. Fame and wealth are yours–more than you could have ever imagined. You are recognized wherever you go. Now let’s suppose that the doctors … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Forest Lawn, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Driving Survey–Route 6

Posted on July 9, 2007 by lmharnisch

Here’s my jaunt down Route 6: Arcadia to the Auto Club on South Figueroa. Note that I had to alter the route since Figueroa is a one-way street north of Olympic. Also note that I made the trip on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hipperson suspect

Posted on July 9, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 9, 1957 Los Angeles Detectives investigating the killing of nurse Marjorie Hipperson are questioning a con artist with ulcers who was an orderly at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, where Hipperson and her fiance, Dr. Walter Deike, worked. Monte Melvin … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on July 8, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 8, 1957 Readers may have noticed that, except when vital to the story, this paper no longer uses the names of victims of rapists. The policy was prompted by the editors’ opinion that printing these names only added to … Continue reading →

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Literary diversions

Posted on July 7, 2007 by lmharnisch

Detective Sgt. Joe Wambaugh gets in trouble for writing a book. Nov. 18, 1970. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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Ronnie Quillan update

Posted on July 7, 2007 by lmharnisch

Here’s the August 1955 article from Whisper magazine referred to in my earlier post on Ronnie Quillan (thank you, EBay). Quillan actually provided the information for this story, so we have to assume it was at least somewhat accurate. In … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on July 6, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 6, 1957 Teenagers’ magazines are a comparatively new fad. But in spite of their recent arrival, they have already grabbed a strong position of influence. And respect. Yesterday, I printed some letters written to Lilly Cooper, Dig magazine’s problem … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Columnists, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ouch!

Posted on July 6, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 6, 1957 Los Angeles Oh this is a painful moment on the Mirror’s comics page. I was always a big fan of Gus Arriola and "Gordo," which I read for many years. The strips are beautifully drawn and … Continue reading →

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The searchers

Posted on July 6, 2007 by lmharnisch

The stats for my blog allow me to see the search terms people use to reach the Daily Mirror. I never realized there were so many people interested in Mickey Cohen. There are quite a few false hits and some … Continue reading →

Posted in Weblogs | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gail Russell–in memoriam

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

Photographs by the Los Angeles Times Sgt. C.H. Specht examines damage to Jan’s Restaurant, 8424 Beverly Blvd., caused by Gail Russell’s convertible.  Below right, Russell fails a test for intoxication administered by Specht. July 6, 1957 Los Angeles You poor … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Cemeteries, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1957 Lilly Cooper is an average, mature woman. But she has one quality which separates her from the rest of us older, wiser inhabitants of the world. She is neither amused nor annoyed by teenage melodramatics. Instead, she … Continue reading →

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Driving survey–Route 5

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

I wouldn’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t try myself, so here’s Route 5 of the Auto Club’s commuting survey from 1957. It’s not an entirely fair test since I made the trip on a Saturday morning, but it … Continue reading →

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Valley blaze

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

The west San Fernando Valley’s tinderbox goes up in flames–again. Page 1 Page 2

Posted in San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Woman strangled

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1957 Los Angeles What we have is a dead woman and a man who says he strangled her–except he doesn't remember it.  Or he did remember it and then he forgot. No, it doesn't make any sense. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments